New construction in the Butler County School System is on or ahead of time and under budget.

That’s the report from contractors to the Butler County BOE at Thursday’s meeting. W.O. Parmer Elementary School is $40, 671 under budget and the Butler County Magnet School in Georgiana is $18,800 under budget.

The public will get the opportunity to view the new additions and renovations to WOP on Sunday, June 28, with an open house scheduled for 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

On Sunday, July 12, an open house will be held at the new Butler County Magnet School from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

In other construction and renovation work, new storm drains are going in at McKenzie School while work continues on new bathrooms, computer labs, library and office space. In terms of the system’s budget for the coming school year, Looney described it as “conservative and no-frills.”

“We’ve been told by the state not to expect a lot of improvement in our economic situation for another two years, and so we are trying to keep it lean and mean,” Looney said.

BCCELC director Amy Bryan reported success in obtaining a four-year grant of $83,500 per year for the center’s Bright Beginnings I program. Dr. Kathy Murphy continues to share information about the SACS System Accreditation with local civic clubs and obtained written feedback from the Greenville Lions Club for the board.

The board took action on:

– Approval of math textbook adoptions (with a stipulation this was a formal adoption and not an actual purchase).

– Approval proposed handbook and code of student conduct and policy revisions.

– Approval of renewal of Alabama Association of School Boards membership and Legal Assistance Fund participation.

– Expulsion of student 2009-E from the Alternative School (during executive session).